Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 7

Written Answers. - Waiting List for Cardiac Surgery.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to heart by-pass patients who have already been two years on the waiting list; his views on the necessity to reduce this waiting list having particular regard to the nature of the illness and the likely concern and stress caused to the patient and the patient's family in such circumstances; the proposals, if any, he has to deal with such cases at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I am very conscious of the need to provide additional coronary artery by-pass graft, CABG, procedures. Since coming into office, I have been concerned to ensure the expansion of existing facilities for cardiac surgery in the public hospital sector. In 1993, I allocated a sum of £1 million from the waiting list fund to enable the facilities to be put in place at the National Cardiac Unit, Mater Hospital to increase the throughput of open heart surgery at the hospital. In addition, in 1993, I provided capital funds which will facilitate the doubling of cardiac surgery at Cork Regional Hospital from 200-400 patients each year.

The major programme of refurbishment at the National Cardiac Surgical Centre is ongoing. I have allocated in excess of £2 million in 1994 to the Mater Hospital for cardiac surgery and related developments. The development which is nearing completion includes additional cardiac maintenance beds, intensive care facilities and high dependency facilities which are required to support the cardiac surgery programme, including heart transplantation.

This development, together with the developments in progress for cardiac surgery at Cork Regional Hospital, will have the effect of increasing the number of open heart surgery operations performed on an annual basis in the public hospital sector by 47 per cent.